Rhetoric and Writing Concentration

Bachelor of Arts in English

Choose a major in rhetoric and writing, and you’ll become immersed in the theory and practice of discourse, with an emphasis on written forms.

A major in rhetoric and writing is especially relevant if you plan to pursue further academic or professional studies. Even if a bachelor’s degree is your end goal, you’ll graduate as a critical thinker equipped for careers in publishing, business, marketing, nonprofits, teaching, law, and more.

What You Will Learn

As a student, you will:

develop the ability to write for various audiences

understand the historical and social significance of written communication

We’re asked this question all the time. Our answer: A lot. You will learn skills that transfer across hundreds of possible careers and industries—some of which may not even exist yet. Our graduates go on to work in marketing, publishing, non-profit fundraising, speechwriting, as well as in countless other fulfilling occupations.

What It’s Like to Study Rhetoric and Writing

As a student, you will take courses in which you study, practice, and reflect on rhetoric and writing in ways that foster critical thinking about not only your own use of language but also the way language informs and impacts our understanding of and participation in personal, professional, and civic arenas.

You’ll take courses with caps ranging from 18-25 students, which allows you to receive more sustained attention, collaborate frequently with classmates, and form more effective relationships with your teachers and peers.

You’ll take courses that explore rhetoric and writing historically, starting with Ancient Greece and moving into the 21st Century, in order to see how and why the study, practice, and teaching of rhetoric and writing are important and have changed and evolved over time.

You’ll take courses that ask you both to analyze and to utilize new writing technologies. In doing so, you’ll not only create digital and multimodal texts for diverse audiences but also develop and hone 21st century literacies. You’ll also study and use older writing technologies in an effort to understand how writing technologies emerge, evolve, and intersect with one another as well as how writing technologies influence who can write, how, and to whom.

You’ll take courses that ask you to use writing technologies, both old and new, to create diverse texts for diverse audiences. To that end, you’ll practice writing in different genres and appealing to different audiences, which will allow you to adapt to and navigate successfully various communicative situations.

Promoting Change

English faculty and students are express their dedication to social and educational justice in many different ways—and you can help. You can work on a young-adult literature magazine that addresses diversity—or the lack thereof. You can learn to teach English to speakers of other languages. You can mentor young writers.

Creative Writing in the Community

Through this immersive learning course, English 409 students serve their community by teaching creative writing techniques and to write a text collaboratively.

English Language Learning

Dr. Lynne Stallings brings her students into the Muncie community and the Muncie school system to teach English Language Learners.

Indiana Writers Center

English students have the opportunity for a paid internship every summer in downtown Indianapolis with the Indiana Writers Center (IWC) to educate and inspire youth ages 6-16.

Rethinking Children's and YA Lit

In this free, digital, interactive literary magazine, teacher education, English, and journalism students invite readers to engage with children’s and young adult literature as a way to raise social consciousness and awareness.

Application Process and Requirements

Want to Learn More?

One of the best ways to understand why Ball State stands out is to come see it for yourself. You can schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Make sure to tell them you’re interested in our program. Or if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.